THE PORT AUTHORITY OF NY & NJ

Press Release Article

MOYNIHAN STATION DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND PORT AUTHORITY ANNOUNCE AWARD OF CONTRACT TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION OF MOYNIHAN STATION

Date: May 09, 2012Press Release Number: 65-2012

Project Will Transform the Historic Farley Post Office Building and Make the Station Easier to Navigate, Safer, and More Customer-Friendly

The Moynihan Station Development Corporation Board and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey today announced the award of a construction contract to a nationally renowned builder to begin to transform the historic Farley Post Office Building in Manhattan into Moynihan Station.

The major public-works project, a lifelong vision of the late U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, will alleviate congestion at Penn Station New York, North America’s busiest train station, located just across the street from the post office building.

The Moynihan Station Development Corporation’s Board approved the award of the $147.7 million contract today to Skanska USA Civil Northeast. In October 2011, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that the corporation’s operations will be consolidated into the Port Authority. The Port Authority will oversee the project, with construction management support from STA Moynihan JV, a joint venture of AECOM, STV and Tishman Construction.

The first part of construction necessary to realize the late Senator Moynihan’s vision will double the width of the existing West End Concourse of Penn Station – which will be the concourse for the new train station – to serve eight additional tracks to be used by Amtrak, NJ Transit and Long Island Rail Road passengers. It also will provide new vertical circulation, including elevators, escalators and stairs to meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. The project will include fire safety improvements to Penn Station including new standpipes and a command center for the New York City Fire Department.

In addition, the first phase of the project will provide new access through entrances in the Farley building at 31st and 33rd streets and Eighth Avenue to the West End Concourse, allowing the public to access the train platforms through that building for the first time.

The total cost of Phase 1 is $267 million. Funding will be provided through an $83 million federal TIGER grant, $29.5 million from the MTA, $10 million from the Port Authority, and the remaining funds from federal grants and appropriations.

Construction will begin this summer. The project will generate more than 3,000 jobs and is expected to take four years to complete.

“The redevelopment of Moynihan Station has struggled for more than two decades to achieve the momentum necessary for such an important infrastructure project,” said Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. “Today, we are moving faster and making more progress than ever to constructing the word-class transit center that New Yorkers deserve. I commend the Port Authority and the federal government for their commitment to this project.”

“New York’s success is built around our ability to move people quickly, efficiently, and to all corners of the city and region,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. “Construction of Moynihan Station’s West End Concourse and the connection between Penn Station and the Farley post office is the beginning of a transportation renaissance, and will be a catalyst for growth in Manhattan’s far west side, which we have long fought to develop.”

“This is an exciting step towards the construction of a grand, new gateway to New York City that was envisioned by Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan,” U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said. “I applaud Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, Secretary LaHood, Mayor Bloomberg, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and all the New York corporations and parties involved who have worked tirelessly in moving the Moynihan Station project forward. I am proud to have helped push for federal investments in the project’s first phase, which will create jobs, bring our aging infrastructure into the 21st century, improve mobility and security for millions of passengers, and spur economic growth.”

“Today’s announcement of the awarding of the contract for the western concourse phase of Moynihan Station development continues the significant progress that has already been made that will transform the Farley Federal Post Office Building in Manhattan into the new Moynihan Station, a grand rail gateway into New York City,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “This project, for which I have long supported funding in Washington, will produce just the sort of infrastructure improvement and economic development that New York needs. In addition to generating thousands of good jobs, Moynihan Station will expand our capacity for passengers and make New York – and, especially, the West Side – more accessible to commuters and visitors.”

“Today’s announcement is a great step forward for a project that is vital to New York City’s future,” said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. “Investing in our transportation infrastructure by building projects like Moynihan Station will keep our city competitive for the long run, and create thousands of jobs in the short term. This progress is a testament to the cooperation between various levels of government and stakeholders on this project.”

“By working together and taking the time to get this right, we’ve found a way forward that will provide immediate relief to commuters and put us all one step closer to recapturing the former glory of New York’s original Penn Station,” said Deputy U.S. Transportation Secretary John Porcari.

“Amtrak applauds today’s announcement of the first construction contract for Moynihan Station and congratulates MSDC and the Port Authority for their efforts to advance this phase of this vitally important project after many years of planning,” said Joe Boardman, President and CEO, Amtrak. “We will continue to support the development of Moynihan Station, with the aim of fulfilling Senator Moynihan’s vision for re-establishing a great intercity train station for New York City.”

“This type of targeted investment is simply common sense for the thousands of people who take the train into Manhattan each day,” said Port Authority Vice Chairman Scott Rechler. “Coupling our resources with those from the MTA and the federal government will allow us to alleviate the crowded and inadequate facilities that exist in Penn Station, and will allow us to prepare now for future growth in rail travel.”

“After 20 years of press releases followed by little progress, LIRR, NJT and Amtrak commuters will, beginning later this year, see tangible progress toward the new Moynihan Station,” said Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye. “A new West End Concourse will be the concourse for the new station accompanied by a significant increase in access to and from all the tracks.”

“Today's announcement is the first step toward creating a world-class transportation hub on the west side of Manhattan,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Joseph J. Lhota. “Enhancing the customer experience is critical to improving the public's mobility, and Moynihan Station will give New York the welcoming experience it deserves. The MTA congratulates MSDC and the Port Authority for reaching this critical milestone.”

“My father, the late Senator Moynihan, would be so proud to see his dream come to life for the city and state he so loved,” said Maura Moynihan, daughter of the late senator. “I want to thank all of the people who worked so hard to make this happen, especially my old friend, our great Governor Andrew Cuomo, Pat Foye and Tim Gilchrist.”

“Moving forward with the Moynihan Station project is important evidence to the business community that New York State will continue to invest aggressively in modernization of the transportation infrastructure that is essential to our continued economic growth,” said Kathryn Wylde, president & CEO, Partnership for New York City.

“Today's announcement is a very important step in making Moynihan Station the grand